Alexander Hamilton : A Concise Biography

Description

Views Hamilton's military exploits during the Revolution, his political influence as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and as secretary of the Treasury, and his continual crusade for individual rightsshow more

Review Text

The flood of books marking the 1976 bicentennial of the American Revolution is already beginning. As its title indicates, this present volume by a Professor Emeritus of Economics at Rutgers University and a known authority on Alexander Hamilton deals largely with Hamilton's career in the Revolution and his relations with Washington. Slight, fair, precociously brilliant, Hamilton was 21 when, in 1776, he became captain of a New York company of artillery. After fighting in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights he was with Washington's army in its march to White Plains and on its long retreat through New Jersey (where he was seen to pat his cannon as he would a dog). After the Battle of Trenton, Washington, impressed with Hamilton's youthful efficiency and his ability to write, made him one of his confidential aides. He helped reveal the efforts of the Conway Cabal to replace Washington with Gates, worked with the German drillmaster, Steuben, to revivify the army, and was with Washington when Arnold's treachery was discovered. In 1781, after a brief and discreditable break with Washington, Hamilton was made a field officer and as Colonel Hamilton distinguished himself at Yorktown. After the war, as President Washington's Secretary of the Treasury he mapped plans for the financial and political future of the country, and in 1794 led the punitive expedition into Pennsylvania in the Whiskey Rebellion - one of the best sections of the book. Containing little new material, a carefully substantiated book. (Kirkus Reviews)show more

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